No Doubt finally gets its due at OC Music Awards

Adrian Young accepts one of No Doubt's three trophies at the 12th annual OC Music Awards, held Saturday night at City National Grove of Anaheim. The group garnered honors for best album, best song and best music video. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER

No Doubt's Adrian Young accepts one of the band's three prizes. Photo: Kelly A. Swift, for the Register

To the surprise of no one except maybe drummer Adrian Young, No Doubt emerged the big winner Saturday night at the 12th annual OC Music Awards, once again held at City National Grove of Anaheim.

Orange County's most famous band finally had a strong showing at this increasingly regarded ceremony, taking home three trophies, including top honors for best album (Push and Shove) and best song ("Settle Down"). The latter was also named best music video.

"We finally have a member of No Doubt in the audience," announced local personality and longtime "Ska Parade" host Tazy Phyllipz, tipping his hat to a stylishly dressed and coiffed Young while presenting best world to the Dirty Heads for the fourth year in a row.

Indeed, when these awards were first handed out in 2002 and Rock Steady was all the rage, the purpose was to spotlight rising, strictly local talent, not established hit-makers who started here but had since moved to L.A. or elsewhere. There wasn't even a best album category, only best song in addition to genre prizes, and nominees were chosen by paid self-submission, not an academy of roughly three dozen industry experts determining victors via voting rounds.

Young, the sole representative from No Doubt on hand, grew more colorful in his acceptance speeches as the ceremony wore on. He dropped the music video award while thanking the band's fans, snapping it clean off its foundation. "My son just yelled at me – he said, 'Don't break this one!'" the man in the jet-black Mohawk told the crowd when he returned to pick up the best song trophy.

When he came right back to claim best album, he was beaming: "I apologize to all the parents out there, but (expletive) yeah!" (He was also stoked to realize his family had been seated next to Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo.) Then he recalled No Doubt's early days at a studio they used to call the Stomp Box just a 6-iron shot away, and shared a story about flinging his scat on the side of the road while in dire need of a toilet driving home from practice one night. "That's my Orange County!" he declared.

Taking nothing away from No Doubt's local significance and influence, it's nonetheless debatable whether the group merited such a showering of affection, considering none of its members live in O.C. anymore and no part of its latest music was recorded here.

They might be better served with the Orange County Impact Award, which in the past has been bestowed upon Social Distortion, Thrice, Sugar Ray and the Vandals. This time, however, that honor was reserved for enduring rockers Lit, who also snagged a competitive trophy for best alternative.

Such aesthetic confusion carried over to best indie, which was given to last year's best alternative (and best song) winner, Young the Giant. "Not sure what best indie means," frontman Sameer Gadhia said, "but we're very appreciative."

Many of this year's winners were repeats from 2012 – and 2011 and even 2010. Micah Brown was named best folk again. Sibling act Blok continues to dominate categories in alternating years: this time, as in 2011, they were chosen for best electronic, while in 2012 and 2010 they received best hip-hop.

Adrian Young accepts one of No Doubt's three trophies at the 12th annual OC Music Awards, held Saturday night at City National Grove of Anaheim. The group garnered honors for best album, best song and best music video. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Drummer Adrian Young of No Doubt accepts an award on behalf of the band during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. No Doubt won best album, best song and best music video. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Orange County Impact Award winners Lit pose for photos before the12th annual OC Music Awards held Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Moonsville Collective performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Moonsville Collective performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Moonsville Collective performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
KROQ program director Lisa Worden speaks at the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lit accepts the best alternative award during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Parker Macy accepts the award for best blues during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Pacific Symphony Orchestra conductor Carl St.Clair accepts a lifetime achievement award during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra perform a Piazzolla tango during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
KROQ personality Ted Stryker hosts the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra perform during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Best live band winner Robert Jon & the Wreck performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Robert Jon & the Wreck perform during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Robert Jon & the Wreck perform during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Warped Tour creator Kevin Lyman looks for the band Lit during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Robert Jon & the Wreck accept the best live band award during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
GoGo13 performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
GoGo13 performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Young the Giant accepts the best indie award at the 12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Un D Vided accepts the award for best youth artists during the12th annual OC Music Awards held Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Nancy Sanchez accepts the best jazz award at the12th annual OC Music Awards in Anaheim on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
KROQ personality Ted Stryker hosts the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
KROQ personality Kat Corbett speaks at the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Field Trip accepts the award for best new artist at the 12th annual OC Music Awards. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
John Easdale of Dramarama performs at the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
John Easdale of Dramarama performs during the 12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
John Easdale of Dramarama performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Host Ted Stryker pays tribute to late Lit drummer Allen Shellenberger during the 12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lit accepts its Orange County Impact Award during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lit accepts its Orange County Impact Award during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Zebrahead performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Nilu performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Zebrahead performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Zebrahead performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Register's local music writer Kelli Skye Fadroski presents the award for best music producer during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Register's local music writer Kelli Skye Fadroski presents the award for best music producer during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Adrian Young accepts an award for No Doubt during the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Guests arrive for the 12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
GoGo13 poses for photos before the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
KROQ personality Ted Stryker hosted the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Stan Freese and his wife Tera pose for photos at the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Micah Brown accepts the award for best folk during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Zebrahead pose for photos before the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Originalites pose for photos at the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Robert Jon & the Wreck pose for photos at the12th annual OC Music Awards held at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Orange County Impact Award winners Lit pose for photos before the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
A+ Dropouts pose for photos during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
No Doubt drummer Adrian Young and his family pose for photos at the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Adrian Young of No Doubt poses for photos at the12th annual OC Music Awards. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Blok accepts the best electronic award at the OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Orquesta Cortez performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Orquesta Cortez performs during the12th annual OC Music Awards at City National Grove of Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Orquesta Cortez performs during the12th Annual OC Music Awards. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
The Originalites accept the best surf award at the12th annual OC Music Awards on Saturday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER

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